Grouting material delivery and application system

ABSTRACT

A wetout funnel (82) including opposite walls (88) forming a v-shape with a slot (90) at the bottom of the v-shape and a squeegee (102) disposed at the slot (90) for controlling the coating of grouting material for a uniform covering on a liner (50) as it passes through the wetout funnel (82). A first ejector pipe (104) receives and dispenses grouting material (52) to coat one half of the exterior of the liner (50) and a second ejector pipe (106) receives and dispenses grouting material (52) to coat the opposite half of the exterior of the liner (50). The wetout funnel (82) is mounted on a supporting framework (84) that is positionable over a manhole. The supporting framework (84) has end pieces (92) movable to engage the edges of a liner (50) of different widths.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of application Ser. No. U.S.provisional patent application No. 62/473,631 filed Mar. 20, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile grouting delivery andapplicator system for evenly applying an adhesive grouting material toan expandable flexible liner during the repair of an undergroundconduit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Such grouting material delivery and application systems are well known.One such grouting material delivery system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,139,751 to William Mansfield et al., includes a trailer having a baseand reel of hose, a power source, a grouting material storage tank, andpump to pump the grouting material through the hose for treating theinterior of a conduit.

Another such grouting material delivery and application system isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,100 granted May 24, 1994 to Jim Deaverincludes a trailer with a power supply containing a grouting materialstorage hopper connected to a motor-operated pump and having a flexiblehose where the grouting material flow can be adjusted by a dischargenozzle.

Alternatively, a grouting material delivery and application system isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,110 granted Apr. 26, 1988 to RaySaffrhan and includes a barge for travelling over the water having apower supply, pump and tank for grouting material storage with a winchand/or crane for lifting and lower grouting material hose into and outof the water.

Conventionally, once at the repair site, the liner is pulled through theconduit with a winch. Once the liner is in place, the grouting materialis then pumped into the conduit between the damaged conduit interiorsurface and the exterior surface of the liner. Another common method isto pump the grouting material into the conduit and then pull the linerthrough the grouting material-filled conduit. One such assembly,disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,913 granted Jan. 2, 2001 to Peter Woodet al., discloses a method of repairing a conduit by pulling a flattenedtubular liner with grouting material anchor hooks, for collectinggrouting material when applied, through the conduit from one manhole toanother using a winch. The conduit is precharged with grouting materialand once the liner is pressurized and inflated, the grouting materialflows between the outer surface of the liner attaching to the anchorhooks and the inner surface of the conduit. This method leaves open thepossibility of not having a uniform coating on the liner which couldlead to voids in the coverage of the grouting material and weak spots ofthe conduit after curing. Similarly, both U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,762,450 and5,791,378, also discuss pulling a liner through the conduit and pumpinggrouting material in the annular space between the liner and conduit forrepair of the conduit.

Alternatively, U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,114 granted Nov. 30, 1999 to GeraldJones, discloses an apparatus and method of repairing a conduit byproviding a tubular liner having a first surface facing inwardly of theliner and a second surface facing outwardly of the liner and where agrouting material is disposed on the first surface, inverting the lineradjacent one end of the liner and moving a portion of the liner alongthe length of the pipe to progressively cause the first surface to faceoutwardly of the liner and to come into direct contact with the innersurface of the pipe without contacting any other material so that thecoating comprises the only material between the pipe and the liner.

Alternatively, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0212803published Aug. 26, 2010 to Heath Car et al., discloses a method ofreinforcing a conduit with fiber reinforced polymer including coating araw carbon fiber material with an epoxy resin by directing the fibermaterial stored on a reel into a dipping tank and through rollers actingas squeegees and finally applied to the walls of a conduit.

Also, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0215859 published Feb.20, 2010 to David Lee Alexander, discloses a dip-coating system forapplying a liquid coating material onto building materials such aslumber. The system comprises a funnel box containing a dipping slot anddipping sleeve to hold the liquid coating material and end pieces thatare adjustable for varying sizes of lumber. Brushes are attached to thefunnel box to act as squeegees for wiping off excess coating material.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 1,498,738 published Jun. 24, 1924 to JosephLahousse discloses an apparatus and method for coating wires. The wirestored on a reel is pulled through a liquefied coating followed by agauge tube for regulating the thickness of the coating on the wire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing state of the art, the object of the inventionis to provide an apparatus of the type for coating the exterior of acollapsed liner with an even distribution of a grouting material. Theapparatus includes a wetout funnel for receiving grouting material toevenly coat the entire outside diameter of the liner. The wetout funnelincludes opposite walls forming a v-shape with a slot at the bottom ofthe v-shape and a squeegee disposed at the slot for controlling thecoating of grouting material for a uniform covering on the liner as itpasses through the wetout funnel. A first ejector pipe having an inflowend and an outflow end for receiving and dispensing grouting material tocoat one half of the liner exterior. A second ejector pipe having aninflow end and an outflow end for receiving and dispensing groutingmaterial to coat the opposite half of the liner exterior. The shape ofthe wetout funnel and the positioning of the ejector pipes provides foreven distribution of the grouting material onto the liner so that whenthe liner is pulled through the conduit, the grouting material fillscracks and holes in the conduit inner walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the grouting material delivery andapplication system with a cut-away at the wetout funnel to show a linerbeing pulled through the grouting material.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an expandable pipesystem;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the expandable pipe system of FIG. 2along line 3-3 showing grooves having a curved profile;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of a groove of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the expandable pipe system of FIG. 1disposed in a conduit including cracks in the host conduit;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of theexpandable pipe system in a contracted position and disposed in aconduit prior to inflation;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the fully inflated expandable pipesystem and conduit of FIG. 4 along line 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the expandable pipe system andconduit of FIG. 6 after the curing;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the expandablepipe including grooves extending circumferentially around a centeropening;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the expandablepipe system including grooves extending circumferentially around acenter opening and longitudinally between ends;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the side elevational view of thewetout funnel of FIG. 1 along line 10-10.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view side elevational view of the wetoutfunnel showing a collapsed liner passing through the alignment rollersand squeegee.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the first conduit and second conduit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, an apparatus 20, generally shown inFIG. 1, is a mobile grouting system used for repairing a damagedconduit. According to the present invention the apparatus 20 includes asupport 22, trailer, extending along an axis between a first end 24 anda second end 26 with two or more road wheels spaced from one anothertransversely of the axis and carrying the support 22. The apparatus 20can be self-contained on the support 22 which can be attached to atransport vehicle, such as a truck or tractor, using a hitch to beconveniently towed to and from a conduit repair location. The apparatus20 can also be three integrated units with each unit either on thesupport 22 or placed on the ground during the repair of the conduit.Alternatively, the support 22 could be a barge or boat for travellingover the water to repair damaged conduits under the water.

A power supply 28 and/or an air compressor and/or blower is mounted onthe first end 24 of the support 22 for supplying electrical power to theequipment of the apparatus 20 and inflation air for the liner placement.The power supply 28 and/or air compressor could also be used to supplyelectrical energy to operate any electrically based or pneumatic powertools and equipment used during the repair of the underground conduit.The power supply 28 can include, but is not limited to generators,batteries, inverters, etc.

A crane assembly 30 is mounted adjacent to the power supply 28 on thesupport 22. The crane assembly 30 is connected to the power supply 28for hoisting movable equipment and tools onto and off of the support 22and for lowering the equipment and tools down into a manhole.

The crane assembly 30 includes a mast 32 extending vertically from thesupport 22 and a boom 34 mounted and cantilevered to the mast 32 andextending from a near end 36 adjacent the mast 32 to a far end 38. Thecrane assembly 30 also includes a trolley 40 movably supported by theboom 34 for moving back and forth on the boom 34. A pulley 42 issupported by the trolley 40 along with a cable 44 extending along thelength of the boom 34 that loops through the pulley 42 to a hook 46 onthe end of the cable 44 for lifting and lowering of the equipment andtools.

As shown in FIG. 2, an expandable pipe system 48 includes a liner 50 anda grouting material 52 where the grouting material 52 is applied to theliner 50. The expandable pipe system 48 is inserted into a damagedconduit, as shown in FIG. 4, and allowed to expand and adhere to thehost conduit in a manner that eliminates void spaces, cracks, and holes,and increases the structural integrity of the conduit.

The liner 50 is brought to the repair location loaded on to the support22. As shown in FIG. 1, the liner 50, flexible and made of a polymermaterial, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a recycledpolypropylene (PP), is coiled, lying flat like a firehose, stored onto areel 54 located on the support 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the liner 50 hasan exterior surface 56 surrounding a center opening 58 and extendingbetween opposite liner ends 60. The exterior surface 56 of the liner 50has a liner width W, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, extending across its centeropening 58 and a liner length L extending along the center opening 58.The exterior surface 56 defines a plurality of grooves 62 spaced fromone another for containing the grouting material 52 in the grooves 62prior to insertion into the conduit. The plurality of grooves 62 can beformed by cutting or stamping into the exterior surface 56 of the liner50, or by other methods known in the art. Each of the grooves 62 extendradially into the exterior surface 56 to a depth as shown in FIGS. 3 and3A. The grooves 62 are typically spaced an equal distance from oneanother around or along the liner 50. As shown in the FIGS. 2-7, thegrooves 62 only extend partially through the liner 50 so that the insideof the liner 50 presents a continuous smooth and sealed surface. Inother words, the liner 50 is free of holes.

In one embodiment, each of the grooves 62 extends longitudinally betweenthe ends along the exterior surface 56, as shown in FIG. 2. In anotherembodiment, each of the grooves 62 extend circumferentially around thecenter opening 58 along the exterior surface 56, as shown in FIG. 8. Inyet another embodiment, the grooves 62 extend both circumferentiallyaround the center opening 58, and longitudinally between the ends alongthe exterior surface 56, as shown in FIG. 9. The grooves 62 aretypically spaced an equal distance from one another around or along thelength of the liner 50. Alternatively, the grooves 62 can be formed inonly certain sections of the liner 50 so that the grouting material 52material is only disposed in those sections. The grouting material 52 isdisposed in the grooves 62 and flush with the exterior surface 56 of theliner 50 so that the grouting material 52 does not escape the grooves 62as the liner 50 brushes against the conduit when the liner 50 slidesinto the conduit. The plurality of grooves 62 also make the liner 50more flexible and easier to insert into the underground conduit andnavigate dips and bends in the conduit, as well as, wind up and store onthe reel 54.

The reel 54 that stores the liner 50 has a base 64 that can be locatedon at the second end 26 of the support 22 for allowing the reel 54 torotate relative to the base 64 and dispensing lengths of liner 50 fromthe reel 54.

As the liner 50 unravels from the reel 54 and base 64, the liner 50 andgrouting material 52 are routed through the coating process and becomesthe expandable pipe system 48. The expandable pipe system 48 is guideddown the manhole into the damaged conduit. The expandable pipe system 48is pulled through by a towline and strung through the conduit attachedto a winch mounted at the next manhole. The external diameter of theexpandable pipe system 48 is slightly smaller than the internal diameterof the underground conduit and an annular space is formed between thetwo surfaces of the expandable pipe system 48 and conduit. The groutingmaterial 52 of the expandable pipe system 48 expands and fills in theannular space. Once the full liner length L of the expandable pipesystem 48 has been pulled through the conduit, the ends of theexpandable pipe system 48 are capped, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, theflattened expandable pipe system 48 is inflated to a specific volumepressure to minimize the annular space. As shown in FIG. 7, the groutingmaterial 52 goes through a curing process where the expandable pipesystem 48 adheres to the inner diameter surface of the damaged conduit,filling the holes and cracks of the damaged conduit with the expandinggrouting material 52.

As stated above, the expandable pipe system 48 is disposed in a conduithaving cracks, voids, holes, or other imperfections due to corrosion,erosion, or other circumstances, as well as, to increase the structuralintegrity of the conduit. The conduit typically includes a cylindricalshape so that the conduit opening has an annular shape, but the conduitcan include other distinct shapes. The conduit can be any type ofconduit or pipe. The conduit may be located in the ground, such as asewage pipe, inside a building, such as a drain pipe, water pipe, orelectrical pipe, or under water on a seabed, such as an oil line. Theconduit is typically formed of metal, such as copper, aluminum, or iron,or of another material such as concrete, vitrified clay, or asbestoscement. However, the conduit can also be formed of plastic or anothermaterial.

The grouting material 52 applied to the liner 50 by the apparatus 20prior to insertion into the conduit includes urethane, for example,expandable natural urethane grouting material 52. The grouting material52 can also include other types of urethane grouting material 52, aswell as, epoxy grouting material 52, cement-based grouting material 52,and resin-based grouting material 52. The grouting material 52 mayinclude a plurality of fibers such as recycle fiber glass, carbon fiber,coconut fiber, and other recycled or non-recycled fibers for increasingthe strength of the grouting material 52. The grouting material 52 canalso include a filler material, such as expandable plasticmicro-spheres. However, the grouting material 52 can include a varietyof other filler materials. The grouting material 52 can be pre-mixedfrom a variety of different materials and obtain a predeterminedstrength.

A tank 66 having a top end 68 and a bottom end 70 opposite the top end68 is installed onto the support 22 between the first end 24 of thesupport 22 and the reel 54 of liner 50. The grouting material 52 ispre-mixed and loaded into the top end 68 through a covered opening ofthe tank 66. The grouting material 52 is dispensed at the bottom end 70of the tank 66.

A variable speed pump 72 is mounted on the support 22 next to the tank66 and between the first end 24 of the support 22 and the reel 54 ofliner 50 and connected to the power supply 28. The pump 72 is a positivedisplacement pump 72 that delivers measured volume of fluid as requiredfor a given application and has a suction 74 and a discharge 76. Thesuction 74 of the pump 72 is used for moving the grouting material 52from the tank 66 to the pump 72. An inlet pipe 78 interconnects the tank66 and the suction 74 of the pump 72.

The discharge 76 of the pump 72 moves the grouting material 52 into anoutlet pipe 80. The outlet pipe 80 directs the flow of the groutingmaterial 52 from the discharge 76 of the pump 72 to a wetout funnel 82.

FIG. 1 shows the wetout funnel 82 mounted onto a supporting framework 84unloaded from the support 22 by the crane and set on the ground. Onceunloaded, the wetout funnel 82 and supporting framework 84 arepositioned over top of the manhole. The supporting framework 84 containsa roller-guide 86 that hangs above the wetout funnel 82 for guiding theliner 50 into the wetout funnel 82. Alternatively, the wetout funnel 82can be mounted to and extend from the second end 26 of the support 22for positioning over top of the manhole during a conduit repairoperation.

As shown in FIG. 10, the wetout funnel 82 has opposite walls 88 forminga v-shape angling inwardly from wide at the top and sloping downwardnarrow at the bottom to form a trough shape with a slot 90. The wetoutfunnel 82, having the trough shape with a wide mouth to receive thegrouting material 52 from the outlet pipe 80 and a narrower stem tochannel the grouting material 52, is specifically designed for coatingthe liner 50 and filling the plurality of grooves 62 in the liner 50 asthe liner 50 is pulled through the wetout funnel 82. The wetout funnel82 has end pieces 92 positionable to accommodate the liner 50 havingvariable width sizes and thicknesses. Mounted to the side of each endpiece 92 is a bracket 94. A first roller 96 and a second roller 98 beingdisposed in parallel and spaced relationship from one another extendacross the wetout funnel 82 and mount to the brackets 94 at each end.The rollers 96, 98 are used for guiding the liner 50 into the wetoutfunnel 82 from the roller-guide 86 mounted on the supporting framework84 of the wetout funnel 82.

The interior side of the opposite walls 88, angled wide at the top andsloping downward and narrow at the bottom, defining the trough shape,have sheets of organic polymer 100 fastened to them. Alternatively, thesheets of organic polymer 100 can be replaced with a plastic-typecoating. Each sheet of organic polymer 100 curls inward to create a sealagainst the walls 88. The sealing action of the sheets 100 preventexcess grouting material 52 from leaking out the bottom of the wetoutfunnel 82. FIGS. 10 and 11 show a squeegee 102 attached to each sheet oforganic polymer 100. The squeegees 102 are used for controlling thecoating of the grouting material 52 and to give a uniform covering onthe liner 50 and into the grooves 62 as the liner 50 passes through thewetout funnel 82.

The wetout funnel 82 includes a limit switch 83 (not shown) to controlthe grouting material 52 level and to ensure complete coverage of thegrouting material 52 by winch speed and pump 72 where the pump 72 isprogrammed to automatically decrease grout delivery on high levels andincrease grout delivery at low levels of the grouting material 52.

The grouting material 52 is highly viscous and the size of the inletpipe 78 and the outlet pipe 80 allows for a uniform flow of the groutingmaterial 52 into the wetout funnel 82. Both the inlet pipe 78 and outletpipe 80 is of a specified two-inch schedule standard PVC or equivalent.The size of the inlet pipe 78 and outlet pipe 80 must be of sufficientcross-sectional area to deliver a uniform flow of the grouting material52 onto the liner 50. Working together, the pump 72, pipe system, andthe wetout funnel 82 evenly distribute the grouting material 52 on theexterior surface 56 of the liner 50 and smoothing into the grooves 62prior to insertion into the conduit.

FIG. 1 shows the outlet pipe 80 conveying the grouting material 52 fromthe pump 72 to the wetout funnel 82 through a first ejector pipe 104 anda second ejector pipe 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the ejector pipes 104,106 suspend over the wetout funnel 82 in a parallel and spacedrelationship with one another and work together to evenly fill thewetout funnel 82 on each side of the liner 50. The first ejector pipe104 is of a constant diameter having an inflow end 108 and an outflowend 110 for dispensing grouting material 52 into the wetout funnel 82 onone side of the liner 50, and the second ejector pipe 106 is of aconstant diameter having an inflow end 108 and an outflow end 110 fordispensing grouting material 52 into the wetout funnel 82 on theopposite side of the liner 50.

The outlet pipe 80 splits into two branches, shown in FIG. 12, byconnecting to a feeder 112 that is defined by an entry leg 114, a firstleg 116, and a second leg 118, where the first leg 116 and the secondleg 118 are disposed at ninety degrees relative to one another anddiverge from the entry leg 114. A first conduit 120 interconnecting thefirst leg 116 of the feeder 112 to the inflow end 108 of the firstejector pipe 104 conveys grouting material 52 from the feeder 112 to thefirst ejector pipe 104. A second conduit 122, interconnecting the secondleg 118 of the feeder 112 to the inflow end 108 of the second ejectorpipe 106, conveys grouting material 52 from the feeder 112 to the secondejector pipe 106. The first conduit 120 and the second conduit 122suspend over the wetout funnel 82 and work together to evenly coat theliner 50 as it passes between them.

The outlet pipe 80 connects the discharge 76 of the pump 72 to a firstunion 124. Pipe unions, in general, connect two pipes together in a waythat requires only one pipe to be turned when removing the union,facilitating repairs. The first union 124 is defined by having a nutthreaded and joining a female section and a male section where bothcomprise an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming a tubular bodyportion of uniform diameter. Threads on the outer diameters of thefemale section and male section receive the nut and allow fordisassembly during maintenance and replacement.

A first coupling 126, of the standard type, short length of pipe, isutilized as an adapter to join two pipes. In general, a coupling fittingis used to extend the run of a pipe, or change pipe sizes. The firstcoupling 126 comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming atubular body portion of a uniform diameter provided with ends of reduceddiameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends. The firstcoupling 126 receives the end of the first union 124 at one end and theentry leg 114 of the feeder 112 at its opposite end.

Beginning the formation of the first conduit 120, a second coupling 128,utilized as an adapter to join two pipes, comprising an inner diameterand an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameterprovided with ends of reduced diameter adapted to telescope intoreceiving pipe ends, inserts into the first leg 116 at its end.

A first bend 130 is received by the other end of the second coupling128. The bend comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameter forminga tubular body portion of uniform diameter. Straight sections at each ofthe ends and a curved section with a radius of forty-five degrees at themiddle of the body portion allows for installation between two lengthsof pipe and a change of direction in the flow of grouting material 52.

A third coupling 132, utilized as an adapter to join two pipes,comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming a tubularbody portion of uniform diameter provided with ends of reduced diameteradapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends, is received by the otherend of the first bend 130.

A second union 134 is defined by having a nut threaded and joining afemale section and a male section where both comprise an inner diameterand an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniformdiameter. Threads on the outer diameters of the female section and malesection receive the nut and allow for disassembly during maintenance andreplacement. The second union 134 connects to the other end of the thirdcoupling 132.

A fourth coupling 136, of the standard type utilized as an adapter tojoin two pipes, comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter. The fourth coupling136 has ends of a reduced diameter adapted to telescope into receivingpipe ends and inserts into the end of the second union 134 nearest thefirst leg 116 of the feeder 112.

A first elbow 138, of the standard type, comprising an inner diameterand an outer diameter. A tubular body portion of uniform diameter isformed having straight sections at each of the ends and a curved sectionof a radius of ninety degrees at the middle of the body portion. Thecurved section allows for a change of direction in the flow of groutingmaterial 52. The first elbow 138 receives the other end of the fourthcoupling 136.

A fifth coupling 140, of the standard type and utilized as an adapter tojoin two pipes, comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion. The tubular body portion is of uniformdiameter provided with ends of reduced diameter adapted to telescopeinto receiving pipe ends. The fifth coupling 140 connects to the firstelbow 138 nearest the first leg 116 of the feeder 112.

A third union 142 having a nut threaded joining a female section and amale section where both comprise an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter and having threads onsaid outer diameters of said female section and male section to receivethe nut for disassembly. The other end of the fifth coupling 140connects to the end of a third union 142.

The other end of the third union 142 connects to the inflow end 108 ofsaid first ejector pipe 104. The first ejector pipe 104 is cylindricalin shape and disposed about an Axis A. Grouting material 52 flows out ofthe outflow end 110 of the first ejector pipe 104.

Beginning the formation of the second conduit 122, a sixth coupling 144,of standard type, comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter. The body portion isprovided with ends of reduced diameter adapted to telescope intoreceiving pipe ends. The sixth coupling 144 connects into the second leg118 at its end.

A second bend 146, comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter. The second bend 146has straight sections at each of its ends and a curved section of aradius of forty-five degrees at the middle of its body portion to allowa change of direction in the flow of grouting material 52. The secondbend 146 receives the other end of the sixth coupling 144.

A seventh coupling 148, of standard type, comprising an inner diameterand an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniformdiameter. The body portion is provided with ends of reduced diameteradapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends and inserts into the endof the second bend 146.

A fourth union 150, of standard type, is defined by having a nutthreaded and joining a female section and a male section where bothcomprise an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming a tubular bodyportion of uniform diameter. Threads on the outer diameters of thefemale section and male section receive the nut and allow fordisassembly during maintenance and replacement. The fourth union 150connects to the other end of the seventh coupling 148.

A eighth coupling 152, of standard type, comprising an inner diameterand an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniformdiameter. The eighth coupling 152 is also provided with ends of reduceddiameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends of another sourceand connects to the other end of the fourth union 150.

A second elbow 154, of the standard type, comprising an inner diameterand an outer diameter. A tubular body portion of uniform diameter isformed having straight sections at each of the ends and a curved sectionof a radius of ninety degrees at the middle of the body portion. Thecurved section allows for a change of direction in the flow of groutingmaterial 52. The end of the third elbow receives the other end of theeighth coupling 152,

A ninth coupling 156, of standard type, comprising an inner diameter andan outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameterprovided with ends of reduced diameter adapted to telescope intoreceiving pipe ends, connects to the other end of the third elbow.

A fifth union 158, of standard type, is defined by having a nut threadedand joining a female section and a male section where both comprise aninner diameter and an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion ofuniform diameter. Threads on the outer diameters of the female sectionand male section receive the nut and allow for disassembly duringmaintenance and replacement. The end nearest the second leg 118 of thefeeder 112 of the fifth union 158 connects to the other end of the ninthcoupling 156.

A fifth union 158 having a nut threaded joining a female section and amale section where both comprise an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter and having threads onsaid outer diameters of said female section and male section to receivethe nut for disassembly. The other end of said ninth coupling 156connecting to the end of said fifth union 158.

The other end of said fifth union 158 connecting to the inflow end 108of the second ejector pipe 106. The second ejector pipe 106, cylindricalin shape, disposed about an Axis B, directs the flow of the groutingmaterial through its outflow end 110.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings and may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of theappended claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims aremerely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.

1. An apparatus (20) for coating a collapsed liner (50) with a groutingmaterial (52) comprising; a wetout funnel (82) for receiving groutingmaterial (52) to coat both halves of a liner (50), said wetout funnel(82) includes opposite walls (88) forming a v-shape with a slot (90) anda squeegee (102) at the bottom of the v-shape, a first ejector pipe(104) having an inflow end (108) and an outflow end (110) for receivingand dispensing grouting material (52) into said wetout funnel (82)against one of said walls (88) to coat one half of the exterior of theliner (50), a second ejector pipe (106) having an inflow end (108) andan outflow end (110) for receiving and dispensing grouting material (52)into said wetout funnel (82) against the other of said walls (88) tocoat the opposite half of the exterior of the liner (50).
 2. Anapparatus (20) as set forth in claim 1 further including a feeder (112)defining an entry leg (114) for receiving grouting material (52) fromthe outlet pipe (80) and a first leg (116) in communication with saidfirst ejector pipe (104) and a second leg (118) in communication withsaid second ejector pipe (106).
 3. An apparatus (20) as set forth inclaim 2 further including said first ejector pipe (104) and said secondejector pipe (106) being equal in volume and length for equal dispensingof grouting material (52) into the opposite sides of said wetout funnel(82) to coat the liner (50).
 4. An apparatus (20) as set forth in claim2 including a first conduit (120) interconnecting said first leg (116)to said inflow end (108) of said first ejector pipe (104) for conveyinggrouting material (52) to said first ejector pipe (104).
 5. An apparatus(20) as set forth in claim 2 including the second conduit (122)interconnecting said second leg (118) to said inflow end (108) of saidsecond ejector pipe (106) for conveying grouting from said feeder (112)to said second ejector pipe (106).
 6. An apparatus (20) as set forth inclaim 1 including the wetout funnel (82) having opposite walls (88)forming a v-shape angling inwardly from wide at the top and slopingdownward at the bottom to form a trough shape with a slot (90).
 7. Anapparatus (20) as set forth in claim 6 including the wetout funnel (82)having a squeegee (102) disposed in said slot (90) for controlling thecoating of the grouting material (52) and for a uniform covering on saidliner (50) as it passes through said wetout funnel (82).
 8. An apparatus(20) as set forth in claim 6 including the wetout funnel (82) havingsheets of organic polymer (100) fastened to said opposite walls (88) forguiding the grouting material (52) from leaking out of said wetoutfunnel (82).
 9. An apparatus (20) as set forth in claim 6 including thewetout funnel (82) having rollers (96, 98) being disposed in paralleland spaces relationship with one another and mounted on top and acrosssaid wetout funnel (82) directly above said squeegee (102) for guidingsaid liner (50) into said wetout funnel (82).
 10. An apparatus (20) forcoating a collapsed liner (50) with a grouting material (52) comprising;a support (22) extending along an axis between a first end (24) and asecond end (26), a power supply (28) and an air compressor (29) mountedon said first end (24) of said support (22) for supplying electricalpower and compressed air, a crane assembly (30) mounted adjacent saidpower supply (28) on said support (22) and connected to said powersupply (28) for hoisting articles, said crane assembly (30) including amast (32) extending vertically from said support (22) and a boom (34)mounted and cantilevered to said mast (32) and extending from a near end(36) adjacent said mast (32) to a far end (38), said crane assembly (30)including a trolley (40) movably supported by said boom (34) for movingback and forth on said boom (34) and a pulley (42) supported by saidtrolley (40) and a cable (44) extending along the length of said boom(34) and through said pulley (42) to a hook (46) on the end of the cable(44) for lifting and lowering objects, a tank (66) having a top end (68)and a bottom end (70) opposite said top end (68) and installed upon saidsupport (22) between said reel (54) and said second end (26) of saidsupport (22) and for dispensing a grouting material (52) at said bottomend (70), a pump (72) mounted on said support (22) between said tank(66) and said second end (26) of said support (22) and connected to saidpower supply (28) and having a suction (74) and a discharge (76), aninlet pipe (78) interconnecting said bottom end (70) of said tank (66)and said suction (74) of said pump (72) for moving the grouting material(52) from said tank (66) to said pump (72), an expandable pipe system(48) for insertion into a conduit, said expandable pipe system (48)presenting a liner (50) with an exterior surface (56) surrounding acenter opening (58) and extending between opposite liner ends (60), saidexterior surface (56) presenting a liner width (W) extending across saidcenter opening (58) and a liner length (L) extending along the centeropening (58), said liner (50) being formed of a polymer material, saidexterior surface (56) defining a plurality of grooves (62) spaced fromone another and each extending radially into said exterior surface (56),a reel (54) storing said liner (50) in a flattened condition and havinga base (64) on said support (22) forward of said tank (66) and of saidpump (72) for allowing said reel (54) to rotate relative to said base(64) for dispensing lengths of liner (50) from said reel (54), asupporting framework (84) movable from a stored position on said secondend (26) of said support (22) during transport and a working positionover a manhole, a wetout funnel (82) on said supporting framework (84)for disposition above a manhole, said wetout funnel (82) having oppositewalls (88) forming a v-shape angling inwardly wide at the top andsloping downward narrow at the bottom to form a trough shape with a slot(90), a limit switch (83) for controlling the level of the groutingmaterial in said wetout funnel (82), a squeegee (102) disposed at saidslot (90) for controlling the coating of the grouting material (52) fora uniform covering on said liner (50) as it passes through said wetoutfunnel (82), sheets of organic polymer (100) fastened to said oppositewalls (88) for preventing the grouting material (52) from leaking out ofsaid wetout funnel (82), said supporting frame 84 having end pieces (92)movable to engage the edges of said liner (50) of different widths, abracket (94) mounted onto each of said end pieces (92), a first roller(96) mounted on top and across of said wetout funnel (82) and attachingto each of said brackets (94) of said end pieces (92), a second roller(98) mounting on top and across of said wetout funnel (82) and attachingto each said brackets (94) of said end pieces (92), said rollers (96,98) being disposed in parallel and spaced relationship with one anotherfor guiding said liner (50) between said rollers (96, 98) into saidwetout funnel (82), a roller-guide (86) mounted on said supportingframework (84) above said wetout funnel (82) for guiding said liner (50)from said reel (54) and between said rollers (96, 98) and into saidwetout funnel (82) for coating said liner (50) before being drawn intothe conduit, an outlet pipe (80) interconnecting said discharge (76) ofsaid pump (72) and for conveying said grouting material (52) from saidpump (72), a first ejector pipe (104) of a constant diameter having aninflow end (108) and an outflow end (110) for dispensing groutingmaterial (52) into said wetout funnel (82) against one of said walls(88) on one half of the exterior of said liner (50), a second ejectorpipe (106) of a constant diameter having an inflow end (108) and anoutflow end (110) for dispensing grouting material (52) into said wetoutfunnel (82) against the other of said walls (88) on the other half ofthe exterior of said liner (50), said ejector pipes (104, 106) beingdisposed in parallel and spaced relationship with one another fordispensing grouting material (52) into said wetout funnel (82), a feeder(112) defining an entry leg (114) and a first leg (116) and a second leg(118) disposed at ninety degrees relative to one another and divergingfrom said entry leg (114), a first conduit (120) interconnecting saidfirst leg (116) of said feeder (112) to said inflow end (108) of saidfirst ejector pipe (104) for conveying grouting material (52) from saidfeeder (112) to said first ejector pipe (104), a second conduit (122)interconnecting said second leg (118) of said feeder (112) to saidinflow end (108) of said second ejector pipe (106) for conveyinggrouting material from said feeder (112) to said second ejector pipe(106), a first union (124) having a nut threaded joining a femalesection and a male section where both comprise an inner diameter and anouter diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter andhaving threads on said outer diameters of said female section and malesection to receive the nut for disassembly, said outlet pipe (80)connecting said discharge of said pump (72) to the end of said firstunion (124), a first coupling (126) comprising an inner diameter and anouter diameter forming a tubular body portion of a uniform diameterprovided with ends of reduced diameter adapted to telescope intoreceiving pipe ends, the end of said first coupling (126) receiving theother end of said first union (124), the opposite end of said firstcoupling (126) receiving said entry leg (114) of said feeder (112), asecond coupling (128) comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter provided with ends ofreduced diameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends, the endof said second coupling (128) receiving said first leg (116), a firstbend (130) comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming atubular body portion of uniform diameter having straight sections ateach of the ends and a curved section of a radius of forty-five degreesat the middle of the body portion to allow a change of direction in theflow of grouting material (52), the other end of said second coupling(128) receiving the end of said first bend (130), a third coupling (132)comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming a tubularbody portion of uniform diameter provided with ends of reduced diameteradapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends, the end of said thirdcoupling (132) receiving the other end of said first bend (130), asecond union (134) having a nut threaded and joining a female sectionand a male section where both comprise an inner diameter and an outerdiameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter and havingthreads on said outer diameters of said female section and male sectionto receive the nut for assembly and disassembly, the end of said secondunion (134) connecting to the other end of said third coupling (132), afourth coupling (136) comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter provided with ends ofreduced diameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends, the endof said fourth coupling (136) inserting into the other end of saidsecond union (134), a first elbow (138) comprising an inner diameter andan outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameterhaving straight sections at each of the ends and a curved section of aradius of ninety degrees at the middle of the body portion to allow achange of direction in the flow of grouting material (52), the other endof said fourth coupling (136) receiving the end of said first elbow(138), a fifth coupling (140) comprising an inner diameter and an outerdiameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter providedwith ends of reduced diameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipeends, the other end of said first elbow (138) connecting to the end ofsaid fifth coupling (140), a third union (142) having a nut threadedjoining a female section and a male section where both comprise an innerdiameter and an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniformdiameter and having threads on said outer diameters of said femalesection and male section to receive the nut for disassembly, the otherend of the fifth coupling (140) connecting to the end of a third union(142), the other end of said third union (142) connecting to said inflowend (108) of said first ejector pipe (104), said first ejector pipe(104) cylindrical in shape and disposed about an Axis A, a sixthcoupling (144) comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter provided with ends ofreduced diameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends, the endof said sixth coupling (144) receiving said second leg (118), a secondbend (146) comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming atubular body portion of uniform diameter having straight sections ateach of the ends and a curved section of a radius of forty-five degreesat the middle of said body portion to allow a change of direction in theflow of grouting material (52), the other end of said sixth coupling(144) receiving the end of said second bend (146), a seventh coupling(148) comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming atubular body portion of uniform diameter provided with ends of reduceddiameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends, the end of saidseventh coupling (148) receiving the other end of said second bend(146), a fourth union (150) having a nut threaded and joining a femalesection and a male section where both comprise an inner diameter and anouter diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter andhaving threads on the outer diameters of said female section and malesection to receive the nut for assembly and disassembly, said nut actingas a connector for disassembly and assembly during cleaning andrearrangement, the end of said fourth union (150) connecting to theother end of said seventh coupling (148), an eighth coupling (152)comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter forming a tubularbody portion of uniform diameter provided with ends of reduced diameteradapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends of another source, theother end of said fourth union (150) connecting to the end of saideighth coupling (152), a second elbow (154) comprising an inner diameterand an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameterhaving straight sections at each of ends and a curved section of aradius of ninety degrees at the middle of said body portion to allow achange of direction in the flow of grouting material (52), the other endof said eighth coupling (152) receiving the end of said third elbow, aninth coupling (156) comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameterforming a tubular body portion of uniform diameter provided with ends ofreduced diameter adapted to telescope into receiving pipe ends, theother end of said second elbow (154) connecting to the end of said ninthcoupling (156), a fifth union (158) having a nut threaded joining afemale section and a male section where both comprise an inner diameterand an outer diameter forming a tubular body portion of uniform diameterand having threads on said outer diameters of said female section andmale section to receive the nut for disassembly, the other end of saidninth coupling (156) connecting to the end of said fifth union (158),the other end of said fifth union (158) connecting to said inflow end(108) of said second ejector pipe (106), said second ejector pipe (106)cylindrical in shape and disposed about an Axis B.